Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
The major in political science is designed for students who desire a liberal arts program with an emphasis on politics, government and public policy; plan a career in government service or public administration; seek training for positions in foreign service agencies of the United States government, international organizations or corporations; intend to study law; wish to prepare for teaching in the public schools; or intend to work for advanced degrees in political science in preparation for college or university teaching or for government service. For the BA in Political Science, students choose one of two concentrations for their BA degree: General Political Science or Law and Politics.
Requirements (45 units)
Total units required for graduation: 120
Requirements for the B.A. in Political Science
(Program Code: PSCI)
| Core Requirements | 15 | |
| Introduction to Politics | ||
| Government of the United States | ||
| International Relations | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Expository Writing for the Social Sciences | ||
| Six units from the following Senior Seminars: | 6 | |
| Studies in Political Theory | ||
| Seminar in Constitutional Law | ||
| Seminar in Comparative Politics | ||
| Seminar in International Relations | ||
| Seminar in Government | ||
| American Politics. Three units chosen from: | 3 | |
| The Legislative Process | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| State and Local Politics | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Public Opinion | ||
| Formulation of Public Policy | ||
| Comparative government. Three units chosen from: | 3 | |
| Western Political Systems | ||
| African Politics | ||
| East European Political Systems | ||
| East Asian Politics | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| Government and Politics of the Middle East | ||
| International relations. Three units chosen from: | 3 | |
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| International Politics | ||
| National Security Policy | ||
| International Organization | ||
| Political theory. Three units chosen from: | 3 | |
| Classical Political Thought | ||
| Foundations of Modern Political Thought | ||
| Modern Political Thought | ||
| Post Modern Political Thought | ||
| War and Politics | ||
| Concentrations (12) | 12 | |
| Total Units | 45 | |
Note: The following will count as electives only after approval by the department chair: PSCI 5751, PSCI 5752, PSCI 5753, PSCI 5951, PSCI 5952, PSCI 5953.
With approval of the department chair, up to six units in related fields may be counted toward the upper-division course requirement in political science
Concentrations pending Office of the Chancellor Approval
Concentrations (12 units)
General Political Science Concentration
| Public Law. Students choose 3 units from the following: | 3 | |
| Judicial Process | ||
| International Law | ||
| American Constitutional Law | ||
| The Bill of Rights | ||
| Civil Rights | ||
| Law and Social Policy | ||
| Politics, Economics and Law | ||
| Politics, Law and Bureaucracy | ||
| Constitutional Interpretation | ||
| Intelligence, Law and Security | ||
| An additional 9 units of Upper Division Political Science courses. | 9 | |
| Total Units | 12 | |
Law & Politics Concentration
| Public Law. 9 units chosen from the following: | 9 | |
| Judicial Process | ||
| International Law | ||
| American Constitutional Law | ||
| The Bill of Rights | ||
| Civil Rights | ||
| Law and Social Policy | ||
| Politics, Economics and Law | ||
| Politics, Law and Bureaucracy | ||
| Constitutional Interpretation | ||
| Intelligence, Law and Security | ||
| An additional 3 units in any Upper Division Political Science course. | 3 | |
| Total Units | 12 | |